1998 Vincenzo Cesani Luenzo

[RAD]

I'm in love. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

Stunning, sybaritic, downright salacious sangiovese. Clear, deep and dark garnet color. Sweet cherry nose, thick and unctuous on the palate with some vanilla, good acidity, and firm tannins. Solid 30-second finish lingers like a frog in your throat. 14% alcohol and not the slightest hint of hotness. Wonderful balance.

I first tried this wine about a month ago upon the recommendation of a guy at Italian Wine Merchants here in NYC; picked up a bottle for around $28 and was blown away. Couldn't get any more, as I'd already reached (okay, exceeded!) my monthly wine budget. Went back a month later to discover if my original impression was accurate, only to find it 86ed. By chance happened to spot a bottle at Crossroads on 14th Street, and scrounged the entire store for 3 more bottles, all for $28.

No record of this producer that I could find on Wine Spectator. No idea of # of cases produced after searching the Web.

But if you can find it, buy it--you won't be disappointed.

RAD

[Botafogo]

It is 90-95% Sangiovese with a tad of Colorino, made just outside of San Gimignano. The 1997 was a tre bicchieri winner. Why would you look in the Wine Spectator for credible info about Italian wine???

Roberto

[RAD]

Hi Roberto,

Yes, I'm aware of the specifics on the wine. While the Wine Spectator is derided by many for a number of reasons, it's still a good reference, if for anything else as just a sounding board. I already knew that I enjoyed the wine immensely--I'm simply curious what others have to say about it.

Do you have any idea of the # of cases produced in either 1997 or '98? I'd like to know. The winery doesn't seem to have a website, and I haven't found any info on that.

RAD

[Botafogo]

Marvin and crew just published a list of the "ten greatest Tuscan wines" and only ONE had ANY Sangiovese in it. They also think Bolla is a great Amarone producer (and neglect to mention that they are owned by Brown Forman, their largest advertiser). I rest my case.

I do not know the production of the wine as we have almost completely decamped from Tuscany and I have not been paying much attention lately to producers there.

Roberto

[RAD]

Glad to hear that there's one less enophile snooping around Tuscany! That leaves more for me! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Botafogo]

Our point is the sudden interest from the American market has skewed the prices insanely. At any rate I don't think you will will be able to WALK in the Toscana pavillion at VinItaly this year and the feeding frenzy will drive the prices like Tulip bulbs in Holland in the 1400's.

Go East young man (to the Marches)!

Roberto

[ddf68]

Is this a Cab/Merlot/Super-Tuscan phenomena or will we be seeing prices for the '97 Brunellos go through the roof as well?

ddf

[Botafogo]

ESPECIALLY the 1997 Brunellos as, by law, they are the last wines from this over-hyped, over ripe, Parker Creamin' in his Drawers vintage to be released and will have the full benefit of five years of price inflation through demand. People have been bugging me for '97 Barolos and Brunellos since about November of .....1997!!!!!!! Hold onto your wallets and look for every producer to have "line extension" special bottlings to charge double for.

I reapeat, go East Young Man!

Roberto

[ddf68]

What do they make in the Marches?

ddf

[Botafogo]

Rosso Piceno, Rosso Conerò and many more, all of which are blends of Sangiovese and Montepulciano.The very best examples rarely top $40 and MANY outstanding bottlings are under $15. AND, the quality curve of Sangiovese di Romagna is approaching exponential while the cost is going up linearly.

Roberto